Owner Mike Ashley has ordered managing director Lee Charnley to tie Rafa Benitez down to a new long-term contract before July after a successful return to the Premier League for Newcastle United.
Following relegation, Ashley took a huge gamble with his club by investing heavily in the transfer market. As well as boasting the largest wage bill ever in the Championship, Ashley moved to secure Benitez’s future at the club.
The Spaniard agreed to see out his three-year contract and the gamble paid off as he guided the club back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.